Photographic dark room.



UNITED STATES PATENT OEErcE.

JOHN MCK. DUNSCOMB, OF PASSAIC, NEW JERSEY.

PHOTOGRAPHIC DARK ROOM.

SPECIFICATION forming part @f Letters Patent No. 684,803, dated October 22, 1901.

Application filed January 5, 1901. Serial No. L22,199. (No model.)

To @ZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN McK. DUNsooMB, a citizen of the United States, residing in Passaic, in the county of Passaic and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Photographic Dark Rooms, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an improved photographic dark room intended for the use of professional and amateur photographers.

The object of the invention is to provide a dark room which is portable and capable of being carried along when taking pictures in the country or away from usual dark-room facilities and to furnish a comparatively cheap dark room for the use of amateurs who have no dark-room conveniences at their homes or places of business.

The invention consists of a portable photographic dark room comprising a folding head, aruby glass in the same, a curtain attached to the circumference of said head, a suspension-bail applied to the top of the head, and a suspension device connected with said bail.

The invention consists, further, of certain details of construction and combinations of parts, which will be more fully described hereinafter and finally claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l represents a perspective view of my improved photographic dark room shown as arranged for use. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the head folded up. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the head and curtain folded up ready for transportation. Fig. A is a vertical transverse section through the head of my improved dark room7 drawn on a larger scale; and Fig. 5 is a plan vievtT of the head.

Similar letters of reference indicate correspending parts.

Referring to the drawings, A represents the head of my improved portable photographic dark room, B the cover or curtain of the same, and C the suspension device by which the same is suspended from the ceiling or Wall, as preferred.

The head of my improved photographic dark room is preferably of circular shape and composed of three portions-two side portions a c, hinged to a middle portion b and of such size as to be folded up on the under side of the same, the hinges c being placed at the under side of said middle portion. At the center of the middle portion is arranged an opening of sufficient size closed at its upper end by a ruby glass d and at the lower end by an opaque slide-plate e, which is guided in ways e' of the head, whereby the quantity of light to be admitted into the dark room can be regulated. iWhen no light is required, the slide is closed entirely, and when full light is required it is opened to its full extent. The hinged side portions are provided at their upper sides with screw-eyes f, which are connected by a wire bail g, having at its middle portion an eye g, bent integral with the same7 by which connection with the suspensioncord is made. The suspension-cord C is preferably provided with a hook at its lower end for engaging the eye g. The upper end of the suspension-cord may be secured to a screw-eye applied to the ceiling or wall. Any other suitable suspension device maybe einployed, however, so that the dark room can be conveniently suspended from t-he ceiling, wall, or other point of support when the dark room is to be used.

The circumference of the head A is preferably provided with a concave groove for supporting the curtain B, which latter is provided With a hem at its upper end for the shirring-cords B, by which the curtain is applied to the head A. The edges of the curtain overlap each other sufficiently to prevent any ingress of light into the dark room when the same is used. The head is provided at its upper side with inclined holes or recesses h, into which the shirring-cords are run, so that they can be tied together on the upper part of the head, so as to secure thereby a light-proof joint of the curtain with the head and convenient tying and disconnecting of the curtain from the head. In place of the shirring-cords any other suitable fastening devices may be employed for applin g the curtain to the head A. The middle and side portions of the head are provided at their abutting edges with concave recesses and convex tongues, the joints thus formed being lined with felt or other similar substance, soA

as to prevent ingress of light.

My improved dark room has the advantage that it can be readily carried along by the amateur or professional photographer and used at any time to determine whether the exposures are satisfactory. It can also be used for refilling the holders with new unexposed plates and packing up the exposed plates and for all uses for Which a dark room is necessary in the photographic art. As the construction is comparatively simple, the darkroom can be furnished at a comparatively low price and forms avery convenient and compendious device for the use of photographers.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as newr and desire to secure by Letters Patent- 1. A portable photographic dark room, consisting of a head adapted to be folded up,

and provided with an opening covered by a ruby glass, an opaque curtain applied to the circumference of the head, a suspension-bail connected with the top of the head, and a suspension device for said bail and head, substantially as set forth.

2. A portable photographic dark room, consisting of a head composed of a middle portion, side portions hinged thereto, the abutting edges of the middle and side portions being so formed and lined as to' produce lighttightjoints,the middle portion being provided With an opening, a ruby glass and an adjustable slide for said opening, screw-eyes on the side portions, a curtain applied to the circumference of the head, and shirringstrings applied to the upper end of the curtain and passing through recesses at the circumference of the head for attaching and de# taching the curtain, substantiallyas set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my invention I have signed my name in pres# ence of two subscribing witnesses.

JOHN MCK. DUNSCOMB. Witnesses: l

PAUL GOEPEL, JOSEPH H. Nimes. 

